# US 10,371,238 B2 · Adapter assembly for surgical device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,371,238 B2 - Document ID: US10371238B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/262,055 - Filed: 2016-09-12 - Published: 2017-04-13 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2015-10-09 - Assignees: Covidien LP - Applicants: Covidien LP - Inventors: Patrick N. Gutelius; Khalil R. Khouri; Jeffrey P. Radziunas - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10371238B2 ## CPC - F16H 19/06: comprising {flexible members, e.g. an} endless flexible member - A61B 17/1155: {Circular staplers comprising a plurality of staples} - A61B 17/3476: {Powered trocars, e.g. electrosurgical cutting, lasers, powered knives} - A61B 2017/00398: {using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids} - A61B 2017/00464: {for use with different instruments} - A61B 2017/00473: {Distal part, e.g. tip or head (A61B2017/00464 takes precedence)} - A61B 2017/00477: {Coupling (A61B2017/0046 takes precedence)} - A61B 2017/00486: {Adaptors for coupling parts with incompatible geometries} - A61B 2017/2903: {transferring rotary motion} - A61B 2017/2905: {flexible} - F16H 49/001: {Wave gearings, e.g. harmonic drive transmissions} - F16H 2025/2087: {using planetary gears} - F16H: GEARING - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract An adapter assembly for connecting an end effector to a surgical instrument includes first, second, and third drive assemblies configured for converting rotational motion into linear motion. Each of the second and third drive assemblies includes a pair of rotatable drive shafts for longitudinally advancing and retracting respective second and third drive members. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An adapter assembly for operably connecting an end effector to a surgical instrument, the adapter assembly comprising: a proximal portion configured for operable engagement with a surgical instrument; a distal portion configured for operable engagement with an end effector; an intermediate portion extending between the proximal portion and the distal portion; a drive coupling assembly disposed within the proximal portion; a first drive assembly operably connected to the drive coupling assembly, the first drive assembly including a rotatable drive shaft and defining a longitudinal axis; a second drive assembly operably connected to the drive coupling assembly, the second drive assembly including a first pair of rotatable drive shafts, each shaft of the first pair of rotatable drive shafts extending between the proximal and distal portions, wherein a first shaft of the first pair of rotatable drive shafts rotates in a first direction and a second shaft of the first pair of rotatable drive shafts rotates in a second direction; and a third drive assembly operably connected to the drive coupling assembly, the third drive assembly including a second pair of rotatable drive shafts, each shaft of the second pair of rotatable drive shafts extending between the proximal and distal portions, wherein a first shaft of the second pair of rotatable drive shafts rotates in a first direction and a second shaft of the second pair of rotatable drive shafts rotates in a second direction. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The adapter assembly of claim 1, further including a trocar member, wherein rotation of the rotatable drive shaft of the first drive assembly effects longitudinal movement of the trocar member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The adapter assembly of claim 1, further including a first pusher assembly supported in a distal end of the adapter assembly, wherein rotation of the first pair of rotatable drive shafts effects longitudinal movement of the first pusher assembly. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The adapter assembly of claim 3, further including a second pusher assembly supported in the distal end of the adapter assembly, wherein rotation of the second pair of rotatable drive shafts effects longitudinal movement of the second pusher assembly. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The adapter assembly of claim 4, wherein the second pusher assembly is nested within the first pusher assembly. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The adapter assembly of claim 1, wherein the first drive assembly includes a first high ratio transmission assembly. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The adapter assembly of claim 6, wherein the second drive assembly includes a second high ratio transmission assembly. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The adapter assembly of claim 7, wherein the third drive assembly includes a third high ratio transmission assembly. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The adapter assembly of claim 8, wherein the first, second, and third high ratio transmission assemblies are one of a harmonic gear system or a planetary gear system. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The adapter assembly of claim 9, wherein the harmonic gear system is one of an orbital gear system or a yoked sun orbital gear system. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The adapter assembly of claim 1, further including an outer sleeve, wherein each of the first, second, and third drive assemblies extends through the outer sleeve. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The adapter assembly of claim 11, wherein the outer sleeve is flexible. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The adapter assembly of claim 1, wherein the coupling assembly is configured for operable connection to a handle assembly. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The adapter assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second shafts of the first pair of rotatable drive shafts of the second drive assembly are radially spaced equidistant from the rotatable drive shaft of the first drive assembly. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The adapter assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second shafts of the second pair of rotatable drive shafts are radially spaced equidistant from the longitudinal axis of the first drive assembly. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The adapter assembly of claim 1, wherein an input load from a handle assembly is equally distributed between the first and second shafts of the first pair of rotatable drive shafts during operation of the second drive assembly. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The adapter assembly of claim 1, wherein an input load from a handle assembly is equally distributed between the first and second shafts of the second pair of rotatable drive shafts during operation of the third drive assembly. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The adapter assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second pair of rotatable drive shafts are flexible. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The adapter assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second pair of rotatable drive shafts forms a helical configuration. ### Claim 20 An adapter assembly for operably connecting an end effector to a surgical instrument, the adapter assembly comprising: a proximal portion configured for operable engagement with a surgical instrument; a distal portion configured for operable engagement with an end effector; an intermediate portion extending between the proximal portion and the distal portion; a drive coupling assembly disposed within the proximal portion; a first drive assembly operably connected to the drive coupling assembly, the first drive assembly including a rotatable drive shaft and defining a longitudinal axis; and a second drive assembly operably connected to the drive coupling assembly, the second drive assembly including a first pair of rotatable drive shafts, each shaft of the first pair of rotatable drive shafts being flexible and extending between the proximal and distal portions in a helical configuration, wherein a first shaft of the first pair of rotatable drive shafts rotates in a first direction and a second shaft of the first pair of rotatable drive shafts rotates in a second direction.